Search Underway For Plane With Three On Board

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) — The Washington State Department of Transportation says crews are searching for a small, private plane that didn't reach its destination in Lynden, Washington, on Saturday.

The plane, carrying three people including the pilot, left western Montana about 4 p.m. Saturday and was due in Lynden around 7 p.m.

The plane did not arrive and family members notified authorities. All three occupants are family members. Their names have not been released.

The last phone signal from one of the plane's occupants was detected around 11 p.m. in an area near Omak, Washington. State officials say the search is centered south of Mount Maker.

The plane is described as a white and red Beech 35 aircraft.

Volunteers from the Civil Air Patrol and Washington Air Search and Rescue are assisting WSDOT Aviation Emergency Services with the search.